Lever type flaring tool



Nov. 24, 1942.

F. NEUKIRCH LEVER TYPE FLARING TOOL Filed March l0, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet1 Nov. 24, 1942. F NEUKlRCH 2,302,794

LEVER TYPE FLARING TOOL Filed March l0, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 24,1942. F. NEuKlRcH LEVER TYPE FLARING TOOL Filed March l0, 1941 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 24, 1942 UNITED sTATEs LEVER TYPE FLARINGTOOL Frank Nemen, chicago, m.

Application Margen 1o, 1941, serial N. :sans

9 Claims.

' My invention relates to tools and particularly a tool used to form aflare on relatively ductile tubing, such as copper or aluminum tubing. l

Among the objects of my invention is to provide of a new and improvedflaring tool which is adapted to both clamp and flare a tube inessentially one operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide of a new and improvedflaring tool which utilizes the principle of lever action in order toclamp the tube in the tool and likewise produce a flare on the end ofthe tube so clamped.

Still another object of my' invention is to provide a new and improvedflaring tool which can be used with various sizes of tubing consistingof a body adapted to receive tube clamping Jaws for a variety of sizesof tubing which are secured in place by movement of an adjustable leverand which is provided further with a `flaring die y urged in a straightline axially with respect to the tubing by movement of a second leverwhich is locked to the body during the initial clamping operation andthen unlocked in order to complete the flaring operation.

Also included among the objects is to provide a flaring tool whereinparts of the body are normally latched together and may be separated inorder to open up a space large enough to permit passage of a flaredpiece of tubing between the jaws.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of mydevice whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter.more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of one form of my device with a tube in positionready for flaring;

Figure 2 is a bottom View of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an endpview of the form shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure is a bottom view partly in section taken on the line 5-*5 ofFigure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Figure 4 showingthe tool in position completing the flare;

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic view showing the relative positions of theflaring die for various sizes of tubing prior to performance of theilaring operation;

my device, shown partially in section with a tube clamped in place inthe body:

Figure 9 is a cross section taken on the 'line 9-9 of Figure 1; A

- Figure 10 is a longitudinal section taken on the lineiII-Ill oi Figure1;

Figure 11 is a bottom view of the flaring lever with the adjacent partof the body shown partially in section. and y Figure 12 is acrosssection view of the device taken on the line I2-i2 of Figure 8.

In the formation oi' .flares on tubing such as the usual thin-walledcopper tubing used in gas and refrigeration lines, several points mustbe borne in mind if ilares are to be made which will evenutally make upinto fittings capable of long and continued use without springing leaksat the joints. Also in the preparation of tubing so that it can be usedwith a itting of the proper sort, the workman is often compelled to usehis tools in extremely cramped quarters. Under such conditions it ishighly desirable to have a tool, which can be pushed into a corner andoperated close to a wall. Then too, where mechanics are working by thehour, a tool which can make a flare quickly, is much moresatisfactorythan one necessitating many operations to produce a properflare.

In the past, flaring tools have consisted almost entirely of two parts,one a block having spaced clamping means for securing the tubing intube-holding recesses, and the other a seprate and distinct yoke of somedescription, having a flaring die, usually a conical piece, on a shaftadapted to be threaded into tube-haring position by a separate anddistinct operation after the tubing hasbeen originally clamped in thetool, 40 My invention contemplates the provision of a tool which bysubstantially a single operation is capable of both clamping the tool inthe tube and producing a flare 'on the clamped end.

In an embodiment chosen to illustrate my invention, there is provided abody I0 shown in Figure 1 to which all of the parts of the tool areattached. In the body is a recess Ii rectangular in form and within therecess are positioned a pair of clamping jaws I2 and I3 respectively,which have complementary recesses in them to hold tubing I4 which may belone of several different sizes. A clainping lever i5 is attached tothebody together with suitable mechanism for clamping the jaws intube-holding relationship Figure 8 is a side view of a modified form of55 and a ilaring lever I 6 is provided forthe purpose of moving aflaring die I1 in order to spread a ilare on the end of the tube.

As best seen in Figure 2, the clamping jaws I2 and I3 are provided oneach of 4 sides with cylindrical hollows complementary to each otherrespectively, for holding tubes of each o! 4 different sizes. 'I'he jawscan be withdrawn from the recess Il and reinserted in such a positionthat any one of the 4 diil'erent cylindrical hollows in either Jaw canbe positioned at the center of the recess Il in order to accommodate anyone of the 4 sizes of tube for which the tool is built. It is alsoconceivable that clamping jaws of the same size, having still diiferentsizes of cylindrical hollows, can be substituted for those shown inorder to accommodate still other sizes of tubing.

At the lower or left hand end of recess II as viewed in Figures 4 and 6are provided channels I8 having a leg I9 on the outside forming a lipand a leg 20 on the inside forming a shoulder, cooperable with the lipfor guiding the clamp ing jaws into position. The jaws are inserted fromthe top as viewed in Figures l and 5, for example, and extend downwardlyuntil the Jaw I3 abuts against an end 2l oi.' the recess.

'I'he clamping lever I5 has a bifurcated end 25 which straddles a boss28 on the body and is pivoted thereto by means of a pin 21. A yoke 28 ispivotally secured to the clamping lever at the base of the bifurcatedportion by means of a pin 29. The yoke, as best'seen in Figures 1 and 2,surrounds the lowr portion of the body outside the recess II when inunclamped position. At the upper portion, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2,the yoke is provided with adjustable contact elements 30 threadablymounted in the end of the yoke. At the outside ends, the elements areprovided with screwdriver apertures 3I in order that they may be rotatedinwardly or outwardly to properly adjust the engagement of the yoke withthe clamping jaws.

, Likewise at the upper end of the yoke, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2',there is provided a. bar 32, at the end of which is threaded a knurlednut 33. On the body is a bracket 34 in which is a cut-out portion 35within which the bar 32 is received. At the opposite or lower end of theyoke, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2, is a push rod 36 by means of whichthe yoke can be tilted manually. On the body a projection 3l holds theyoke from passing beyond its proper clamped position on the body.

The flaring lever I is provided with a stop shoulder 31 between thebifurcated portions which in clamped position is brought against a face39 of the boss 26. At an oblique angle to the shoulder 31 is a secondshoulder 40 which in released position likewise contacts the face 35 ofthe stop shoulder.

When a tube is to be clamped in the tool, the clamping jaws areinserted, as shown in Figure 2. The tubing I4 is then inserted in thecomplementary hollows and pushed into the recess Il within the body ofthe tool until it comes into contact with the flaring die i1. The yoke28 is then pushed from the dotted position 28' shown in Figure 1 to thesolid line position there shown so that the contact elements 30 areopposite the upper end of the clamping jaw I2. Then, when the clampinglever l5 is rotated ina counterclockwise direction about the pin 21, asshown by the arrow in Figure 1, the center of the pin 23 is moved fromleft to right. 'I'his shifting of the position of the pivot lengthensthe distance between its center point and the upper edge of the clampingbar I2 and has the effect of forcing the contact elements against theadjacent side of the clamping jaw I2 tightly enough so that the tool I4is securely anchored in place between the Jaws. After the flaringoperation. the clamping lever I5 is rotated in an opposite directionabout the pin 21, shifting the yoke back to the solid line position ofFigure l. The yoke can then be moved freely to the dotted line'positionthere shown, the clamping jaws separated a limited amount and the flaredend of the tube withdrawn. Where it is desired to change the position ofthe clamping jaws to accommodate a different size of tubing, the knurlednut 33 may be unscrewed from the end of the bar 32 and the yoke Z3 swunglstill further in a counterclockwise direction, as

viewed in Figure l. This will permit the upper end of the yoke to bepassed free from its encircling position about the recess II so that theclamping jaws can be freely withdrawn and reinserted in any. desiredposition.

- The flaring lever I6 is inserted in a rectangular slot and pivotallysecured to the outside walls of the slot by a pin 48. At the end thussecured to the body there is provided a releasable springpressed detentcomprising a reciprocating bar 41 secured to the lever by means of ascrew 43 which is positioned in a slot 43 in the bar. The detent has aspade-shaped end 44 and a pin In at the right-hand end, as viewed inFigures 4 and 5. A coiled spring 5I positioned in a hole 52 at the endof the aring lever bears against a flat on the pin and normally urgesthe bar toward the right, as viewed in Figures 4, 5 and 6. A knurledsleeve 53 is attached to the lefthand end of the bar, as shown in Figure4. The sleeve encircles the flaring lever I6 and permits the operator toeasily grasp and manipulate the bar when it is desired to operate it.

Adjacent the righthand end, as viewed in Figure 4, there is a slot 54 inthe body of the tool which is designed to receive the adjacent end ofthe bar 41 in the normal position shown in Figure 4. The flaring leveris thereby normally locked in that position, as shownalso in Figure l.When it is desired to operate the flaring lever and rotate it through aflaring operation, the sleeve 53 is pulled outwardly by hand to thedotted position 53 shown in Figure 4. This movement releases the end ofthe bar from the slot 54 and permits the lever to be rotated as desired.

The flaring die I1 has a conical end 55 which is designed to contact thetube, as shown for example in Figure 7 of the drawings. 'I'he die has asubstantially cylindrical shank 56 received in a cylindrical aperture 51carried by a block 58 within the body. On the die is likewise anenlarged portion forming a shoulder 59 received within a cylindricalaperture 60 of larger diameter. The ilaring die -has a loose sliding iitin the block and is permitted to move freely a limited distance in anaxial direction.

In order to permanently retain the die Within the block, there isprovided a machine screw 6I threadably mounted in the block so that thehead of the screw is in a position to contact the shoulder 59 when thedie moves to the limit of its position upwardly and outwardly, as viewedin Figures 4 and 6. In a retracted position a face 62 on the oppositeside of the die contacts the bottom 64 of the cylindrical recess 60.

The flaring die has at its extremity opposite from the flaring cone, acurved cam surface 65. A hardened pin 66 is mounted in the end of theOperation When the operator first picks up the tool to flare a tube of-a given size, he first inserts the clamping jaws I2 and I3 in therecess II in such a way that the proper cylindrical hollows form acircular aperture at the center of the proper size to clamp the tube I4.The yoke 2l is then swung into the dotted position shown in Figure 1 andthe knurled nut 33, previously removed, is replaced. Once the nut 33 issecured on the bar 32, it will not be possible to remove the clampingjaws entirely from the body of the tool since they will be permitted toseparate only a distance sufilcient to extract a flared piece of tubing.The jaw I2 which is itself shifted during released position of theparts, will be held within the recess'by being brought into contact withthe bar 32.

In normal vreleased position, the shoulder 40 on the clamping lever isin a position abutting against the face 39 of the boss 20. The flaringlever is normally urged to this position by means of Va spring which isin contact with the body at one end and in contact with the yoke at itsother end. After the tube I4 has been inserted in the' proper recess andpushed against the conical end 55 of the flaring die, the operator, bymanipulating the push rod 36 with his thumb. can readily tilt the yokefrom the dotted position shown in Figure l to the solid position thereshown.

Since in normal position the flaring lever I6 is locked in the obliqueposition shown in Figures l and 4, when the ends of the levers I5 and I0are drawn together scissors-like, the only lever which moves is theclamping lever |5. As the lever I5 moves with relation to the body, theyoke 28 is clamped' against the clamping jaw I2 and the tube I4 securelyheld in place preventing slipping of the tube during the subsequentflaring operation. In clamped position. the stop shoulder 31 of theclamping lever will be abutted against the face 39.

Once the tube has thus been securely clamped, the operator will pull thesleeve 53 toward him along the flaring bar I9, thereby withdrawing theend 44 of the bar 41 from its locked position in the slot 54. When thishas been accomplished, the flaring lever is free to be moved rotatablyabout its pivot pin 46.v As the flaring lever is -moved through .aflaring operation, the hardened pin 66 is pressed against the end 05 ofthe flaring die, driving it in an axial direction against the end of thetube I4. The flaring die is, of course, perfectly centered about thetube I4 and is driven in a straight line direction against it, thusforming a substantially perfect flare.

Movement of the flaring lever I6 at completion of a flaring operation islimited by means of properly positioning a flat end 1| of the bar 41against an adjacent flat face 12 on the body. In this position, the endof the slot 49 nearest the adjacent end of the bar 41 is brought intocontact with the screw 49, stopping movement of the flaring lever in itsfull flaring position.

Since, regardless of the size of the tube to be flared, the tube isalways brought into contact with the conical end of the flaring die atthe beginning of the flaring operation and since the amount of rotationof the flaring lever I9 is definitely limited, it will be moved only anamount sufficient to properly spread the end of the tube to form a flareof the right size.

As soon as the flare has been completed, the

operator spreads the levers I 5 and I9 apart. First to move is thedaring lever I3 which is returned to its initial position wherein thecoiled spring 5| automatically shifts the bar 41 into its lockedposition relative to the body. Thereafter, the clamping lever I5 isrotated to the solid line position shown in Figure l. In vthis position,the yoke 21 can be shifted to the dotted line position there shown bymanipulating the push rod 36.

the clamping jaws can be separated and the flared end of the tubewithdrawn between the clamping jaws.

Figure '1 shows the relative location of the ilaring die when used withtubes I4', I4", and |4"' of different diameter and the amount of flareon each for a given thrust of the aringdie.

In the modified form of my invention shown in Figures 8 through 12inclusive, there is provided a flaring tool having a body which isprovided with a recess 9| extending inwardly from one side. Within therecess is positioned a pair of tube clamping jaws 92 and 93, havingcomplementary recesses 94 and 95 screw-threaded in order to provide atight grip on a length of tubing 99 inserted in the tool for flaring.

At the inner end the recesses are flared out-l ward at the point 91 topermit expansion of the tubing during a flaring operation.

vThe Jaws are held in position with respect to each other by means of apair of pins 90 on one of the jaws which ilt into a pair of apertures 99in the other jaw.

At one side of the recess 9| there is provided a locking member |00. Themember is held loosely in place by means of a pin |0| in the bodyinserted through an elongated aperture |02 in the locking member. Bysecuring the member in this manner it is permitted to move freelybackward and forward. The locking member is provided also with aninterlocking shoulder |04 designed to engage a corresponding shoulder|05 on the clamping jaw 93. The locking member is further provided witha hardened element |05 at one side.

A clamping lever |01 is pivoted to the body by means of a pivot pin |09adjacent the locking member. At the end of the lever there is provided ahardened cam IIS which is designed to bear against the element |06. Thebody is likewise provided with a vshoulder II'l designed as a stop toprevent rotation of the lever |01 beyond a fixed distance clockwise, asviewed in Figure 8.

A bolt head |I9 provides a second shoulder to prevent movement of thelever |01 beyond a predetermined distance counterclockwise as viewed inFigure 8.

When the tube clamping jaws are inserted in the tool, the lever |01 ismoved to the dotted position shown in Figure 8 permitting the lockingmember |00 to shift downwardly as viewed in Figure 8. This leavessufficient space within the recess 9| for insertion of the pair of Jawswhich are held together by the pins 99 and 99 previously described. Whenin place, the lever |01 can be moved toward the full line position ofFigure 8 shifting the locking member so that the shoulders |04 and |05engage and hold the jaws within the recess.

To produce a flare upon the tool, there is provided a conical flaringdie |I9 which is designed to reciprocate freely within a cylindricalrecess |20 at the inner end of the. recess 9|. A screw |2| in the dieextends into a slot |22 at the sideA which fits a cylindrical projection|24 on the die.

The sliding fit between the projection and the aperture provides anadditional guide for the anvil during its operation.

An operating or flaring lever` |25 is pivoted by means of a pin |28 tothe body at a point adjacent to the flaring die. The lever is providedwith a hardened button |21 threaded crosswise within it near the pivotand ln such a position that the exposed tip of the button is in aposition to bear against the projection |24 of the flaring die. Ascrewdriver slot |28 is provided in the button so that it may beadjusted to compensate for wear.

The flaring leverhas an end |29-with flat sides which is received withina slot |30 in the body. Likewise on the lever there is provided a latchelement |3| pivotally positioned on the lower endby means of a bolt |32.The l-atch is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewedin Figure 11 by means of a coiled spring |33 secured by a screw |34 tothe latch, and another screw |35 to the lower end of the flaring lever.For operating the latch there is provided a sleeve |36 slidablypositioned on thearing lever and connected to the latch by means of -achain |31.

A set screw |38 positioned in a slot |39 in the sleeve which opens onlyin a direction toward the body permits the sleeve to be moved outwardlyalong the handle a limited distance, sufficient to release the latch andprevents it from sliding inward along the handle toward the body of thetool.

The latch |3| is designed in normal position to seat upon a shoulder|40. Movement of the flaring lever |25 in a counterclockwise directionas viewed in Figure 8 is limited by a shoulder` |4| on the body of thetool. Movement in an opposite or clockwise direction is limited by thehead of a screw |42, which is secured in place after the flaring leverhas been pivoted within the slot |30.

In operation the pair of jaws 92 and 93 are selected to fit theparticular size of tube 96 upon which a flare is to be made. Theclamping lever |01 is then swung toward its dotted position as shown inFigure 8 and the jaws inserted in place.

The insertion of the jaws beyond a predetermined position is limited bya shoulder |43 (Figure 10) within the recess 9|. During this part of theoperation the flaring arm |25 is held outwardly in the full lineposition shown in Figure 8 where it is locked in place by the latch |3|.'Ihe tube 96 is then inserted into the space between the jaws and pushedinwardly until it comes into contact with the conical end of the flaringdie, as shown in Figure 8.

By pushing the tubing inwardly, the die is pushed into its recess untilit abuts the bottom |45. When this has been accomplished the clampinglever |01 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 8 fromthe dotted line position there shown to the solid line position. During.this movement the cam I6 at the end of said lever is brought intocontact with the hardened element |06 and by this means the lockingmember is urged upwardly as viewed in Figure 8 into position against theclamping jaw 93 and from this position is pushed tightly against thetube 96 which is thereupon clamped immovably within the body of thetool.

During this movement the flaring lever is held stationary and can beused as a brace when pulling the clamping lever |01 toward it untilmovement of the lever is stopped by the shoulder ||1. i

With the tube thus clamped and secured in place, the sleeve |30 on theflaring lever |25 |s pulled outward thereby releasing the latch |3|. Thelever is then squeezed in a counter-clockwise direction toward theother. lever |01 until the flaring lever assumes the dotted lineposition as shown in Figure 8. During this movement lthe button |21 ispressed steadily against the projection |24 on the flaring die-therebydriving the die in a direction from left to right, as viewed in Figure8.

The flaring die is accurately guided by the recesses within which itfits into contact with the end of the tubing 00 by which operation thetubing is bent outwardly at the end forming a flare shown in crosssection in Figure l0.

Once the flare has been made, both lever arms are returned to theiroutward positions. Return of the flaring lever releases the die andreturn of the clamping lever to' its dotted position permits the lockingmember to move away from its clamping jaw 93, whereupon the pair of jawstogether with the flared tubing can be extracted from the recess 9|. Thejaws are then knocked loose from the tube and are ready for reception ofa second piece of tubing to be flared.

It will be clear that where tubes of different sizes are to be flared,clamping jaws 02 and 03 having tube-holding recesses of different radiican be used in the tool in the same manner as described for the clampingjaws of' the particular size illustrated.

I have thus provided a quick operating tube flaring tool which iscapable, with substantially a single pincer-like movement of levers ofconvenient length, to both securely clamp a tube in place in the tooland to produce a satisfactory flare on the tube. I have further providedthereby a tool which by a single movement of' the levers in a reversedirection i's capable of completely releasing a flared tube.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of theparts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose ofmy invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modifiedforms of structure, or use of mechanical equivalents, which may bereasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. A lever action flaring tool for tubing comprising a body having arecess therein, removable complementary tube clamping elements in therecess, a clamping lever, a connection securing said lever to the body,a tightening means at the connected end of said lever operativelyengaging the tube clamping elements when said lever is in a clampingposition and adapted to clamp said clamping elements upon tubinginserted therein, an axially movable flaring die mounted in the bodyadjacent said recess having axial movement, stop elements on the bodyrespectively engaging said die and defining the limits of its movementin each direction, and a flaring lever having the axis thereof movablein the same plane as the axis of said clamping lever and having aconnection to the body adjacent the die, a portion of the flaring leverbearing on the die and having a progressively operative movement forthrusting said die endwise through a flaring operation within saiddefined limits of movement.

2. A lever action aring tool for tubing comprising a body having arecess therein, a pair of removable complementary tube clamping jaws inthe recess, a locking member having a looseiltting, permanent attachmentto the body, one side of said locking member forming part oi the recesswall at one side thereof, said locking member including an interlockingelement cooperable with one of said jaws, a clamping lever, a pivotconnection securing said lever to the body ad jacent the locking member,a cam at the pivoted end of said lever engaging the locking member onrotation of said lever and adapted to clamp said jaws upon tubinginserted therein, and a stop on the body engageableA with the leverlimiting the extent of its movement, an axially movable aring diemounted at the inside end i' said recess and a :daring lever pivotallyconnected to the body adjacent the die, a portion of the flaring leverhaving a bearing on the die for thrusting said die endwise to flaringposition, cooperating stop means respectively on the ilaring lever andon the body normally holding said aring lever in inoperative positionrelatively close to said clamping lever while the tube is being lockedin place, and means for releasing said cooperating means adapted whenactuated to free the flaring lever for pivotal movement through aflaring operation to a position substantially parallel with the clampinglever.

3. A lever action ilaring tool for tubing comprising a body having arecess therein, removable complementary tube clamping elements in therecess, a clamping lever having a pivotal connection to the body andhaving a released position extending in one angular direction from thebody and a xed clamping position extending in another angular directionfrom the body, said lever and said body having co-acting stopsengageable with each other at said fixed clamping position and atightening means at the connected end of said lever operatively engagingthe tube clamping elements on movement of said lever from said releasedposition to said ilxed clamping position to clamp said elements upontubing inserted therein, an axially movable aring die slidably mountedin the body adjacent said recess, a aring lever having a pivotalconnection to the body adjacent the die and having the axis thereoflying in the same plane of rotation as the axis of said clamping lever,said flaring lever having an initial ilxed position in angularlydisposed relation to the clamping lever, said ilaring lever beingadapted to cooperate with the clamping lever during the manual clampingof tubing, a temporary detent simultaneously engaging said flaring leverand said body for holding the flaring lever in initial position, saiddetent having a released position permitting rotation of the ilaringlever toward the clamping lever when the clamping lever is in its fixedposition, a portion of the ilaring lever having engagement with thearing die during movement of said iiaring lever toward the clampinglever for thrusting said die axially through a ilaring operation.

4.,A lever action flaring tool for tubing comprising a body having arecess therein, removable complementary tube clamping elements in therecess, a clamping lever having a released position and a clampingposition, a pivotal connection securing said lever to the body, atightening means at the connected end of said lever operatively engagingthe tube clamping elements when said lever is in clamped position andadapted to clamp said clamping elements upon tubing inserted therein, ailaring die having axial movement and slidably mounted in the bodyadjacent said recess, and a flaring lever having a pivotal connectionwith the body adjacent the die and having the axis of the ilaring levermovable in the same plane as the axis of said clamping lever, a portionof the ilaring lever having a position engaging the die for thrustingsaid die axially through a ilaring operation, said levers having initialpositions extending outwardly from the body with an angle between themof less than 90 and respective operative vpositions where the anglebetween said levers is less than the initial angle.

5. A lever action flaring tool for tubing comprising a body having arecess therein, removable complementary tube clamping elements in therecess, a clamping lever, a connection securing said lever to the body,a tightening means at the connected end of said lever operativelyengaging the tube clamping elements on movement of said lever relativeto the body and adapted to clamp said clamping elements upon tubinginserted therein, said lever having movement of its axis about the bodyin a predetermined direction during a tightening operation, an axiallymovable flaring die mounted in the body adjacent said recess, a flaringlever having a connection to the body adjacent the die and movement ofthe axis thereof about the body toward said clamping lever when making aflaring operation, a portion of the ilaring lever having a progressivelyoperative movement and engaging the die for thrusting said die axiallythrough a ilaring operation, and a releasable detent normally engagingsaid body and said i'laring lever temporarily xing the flaring lever inposition relative to the body and in a position suiiiciently close tothe clamping l lever to permit the hand of an operator to span bothlevers, said detent having a disengaged position to permit movement ofthe flaring lever relative to the body and toward said clamping leverafter a tube has been clamped in place.

6. A lever action flaring tool for tubing comprising a body having arecess therein, removable complementary tube-clamping elements in therecess, a clamping lever pivotally connected to the body having areleased position and a predetermined clamped position wherein a portionof said lever adjacent the pivot connection is in engagement with thebody and said lever is xed in position relative to the body, atightening means at the connected end of said lever surrounding andengaging the tube-clamping elements in clamped position for holding atube between said clamping elements, an axially movable tlaring diemounted in the body adjacent said recess and a stop element on the bodynormally disengaged from said die when said clamping lever occupies saidpredetermined clamped position with said clamping elements in place,said stop element having an engagement with said die when on removal ofthe clamping elements said die is moved toward the recess a distanceslightly beyond the position occupied when completing a iiare, and ailaring lever having a pivotal connection to the body adjacent the dieand movable relative to the body toward and` tociampedpositiontolockatubeinthetool. said flaring lever having a portionensuing the die and adapted to urge said die into tube-daring position,said detent having a released position permitting the ilaring lever tobe manually pulled against the clamping lever during the making oi' aflare.

'7. A lever action ilaring tool for tubing comprising a body having arecess therein, removable complementary tube-clamping elements in therecess, a clamping lever having released and clamping positions, apivotal connection securing said lever to the body adjacent one side ofthe clamping elements, Aa tightening means comprising a yoke engagingthe lever at the connected end thereof and engaging the tube clampingelements on the other side of said elements when said lever is inclamping position and adapted to clamp said clamping elements upontubing inserted therein, a retaining member engaging both the bodyandthe yoke limiting the movement of said yoke to a partially open positionwithdrawn from the clamping elements a limited distance suiiicient topermit limited separation of the elements from each other, wherebyflared tubing may be withdrawn from the clamping elements, saidtightening means having a second position disengaged from the body topermit removal of the clamping elements from the recess, an axiallymovable ilaring die mounted in the body adjacent said recess, and aflaring lever having a pivotal connection to the body adjacent the die,the axis of said flaring lever having a position in the same plane asthe axes respectively of said clamping lever and said tube, a portion ofthe ilaring lever having a progressively operative movement and havingengagement with the die during said movement for thrusting said dieendwise through a flaring operation.

8. A lever action flaring tool for tubing cornprising a body having arecess therein, removable complementary tube-clamping elements in therecess, a clamping lever having released and clamping positions, apivotal link connection securing said lever to the body comprising linkmeans pivoted to the body at .one end thereof and pivoted at the otherend to the clamping lever providing thereby a iloating pivot at theconnected end of said clamping lever whereby said floating pivot can bemoved a limited distance toward or away from the body, a tighteningmeans comprising a yoke engaging the lever at the connection of saidlink means thereto and engaging the tube clamping elements when saidlever is in clamping position and adapted to clamp said .clampingelements upon tubing insei-ted therein, a retaining member ensuing boththe body and the yoke limiting the movement of said yoke to a partiallyopen position withdrawn from the clamping elements a limited distancesumcient to permit limited separation of the elements from each other,whereby. ilared tubing may be withdrawn from the clamping elements, saidtightening means having a second position disengaged from the body topermit removal of the clamping elements from the recess, an axiallymovable haring die mounted in the body adjacent said recess, and aflaring lever having a pivotal connection to the body adjacent the die,the axis of said daring lever having a. position in the same plane asthe axes respectively of said clamping lever and said tube, a portionoi' the flaring lever having a progressively operative movement andhaving engagement with the die during said movement for thrusting saiddie endwise through a ilaring operation.

9. A lever action ilaring tool for tubing comprising a body having arecess therein, removable complementary tube clamping elements in therecess, a clamping lever having a released position and a fixed clampingposition, a connection securing said lever to the body, a tighteningmeans at the connected end of said lever including adjustable contactmeans operatively engaging the tube clamping elements when said lever isin clamped position and adapted upon adjustment to vary the pressure onsaid clamping elements when in said ilxed clamping position, a detentengaging the body and the tightening means in a semi-released positionwherein the tightening means has been rotated relative to the body, saidtightening means in said released position being engageable with theclamping elements and said clamping elements during said engagementbeing separated a limited distance one from the other sufficient topermit removal of the ilared tube, said body having a portion thereof inengagement with the clamping lever at one limit of its movement inclamping position providing a stop therefor, a flaring die having axialmovement and slidably mounted in the body adjacent said recess, and aaring lever having its operative positions adjacent the clamping leverand having a movable connection to the body adjacent the die, a portionof the flaring lever having an engagement with the die and having aprogressively operative movement for thrusting said die axially througha flaring operation. l

FRANK NEUKIRCH.

